Thursday, August 25, 2011

Paul Mooney will be sitting down with us for a brief interview mid-September for DMW.

Comedian Paul Mooney

I don't need to give this man an introduction...but let's just say he wrote for Richard Pryor, and gave a lot of new comedians at the time a shot, like oh, I don't know, Robin Williams, John Witherspoon and Sandra Bernhard to name a few.

He wrote for "In Living Color." He more recently wrote and guest starred on the Chapelle Show, you know, Dave Chapelle...

I had my people (me...) contact his people and was happy to hear he enjoyed the idea. I've been a fan of Mooney's comedy and writing, before I even knew he wrote it; my father was a huge fan of Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor and he introduced me to Paul Mooney's name after I had seen the work.

What do I like about his work, well I like that it doesn't even seem like he's tries to write, it just flows out of his mouth, his critique is more observational and right on the nose at times, it's scary and altogether funny.

I'm very much looking forward to hearing his commentary. Stay tuned for more news!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Not that I had a doubt, as I did help on the production of L.A. Zombie, but I went ahead and got the blessings from one of the producers of the film to utilize interview footage of Bruce LaBruce on location while filming in Los Angeles.

This is a big deal for me. This is what initially sparked my interest in making Dead Man Working, so I can attribute and happily say Bruce LaBruce played a huge role in my creating this concept.

His first zombie film Otto; Or Up with Dead People is a 2008 Canadian/German queer cinema horror film; As far as I am concerned the first of its kind.

In my research for this project I have yet to come across anything that stepped into this realm.

He followed this project with L.A. Zombie, about an alien zombie sent to earth in who f*cks the dead back to life....crazy sh*t right? You can only imagine my mind being blown away, thinking, "um, I'm afraid of zombies, why do people want to shag them?"

Anyhow as I am now into the mid-stages of postproduction I felt it was time to take the interview out and put it to use. I also share this footage with french filmmaker Angelique Bosio, who was filming a documentary on LaBruce while we were on production. The documentary is called, "The Advocate of Fagdom."

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

So there have been an insane amount of setbacks on set due to weather, locations, etc... but We were able to finish the core of the project this past sunday June 26th at a lovely little diner in West Orange, New Jersey.

On set in West Orange, New Jersey's Gamburger's Diner. Photo by Carol Molina

So what's next?

A LOT, lol. I have been making a list of things that need to happen to get this project good and done by a deadline I have set.

First though, you will see a lot of changes on the blogs, the facebook page, the website, some designs, pictures, video teasers, etc...

Most importantly is giving credit where credit is due. A lot of people killed themselves (not literally) on set to help make this a great production. Some got paid, some haven't gotten paid, many donated their time to which I am grateful for and promise a gift in return!

While looking at the footage that I have at the moment I have noticed some things I love and reflect on how some things could have been done differently, but this will all come to light over the next few months.

This was a big production for my second directorial project, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. So much has changed in 5 years, personally, emotionally, environmentally, physically....that if I do not show growth in artistic endeavors, then what the fuck have I been doing.

I apologize for those on set that may have seen a side I generally do not show, but work is work and production work is production work. Nothing should be personal on set.

Monday, June 6, 2011

So After a good five days of shooting, we took a two week break to regroup after a couple of incidents.

The first and biggest changes is Actor Matthew Lavin will no longer be playing the role of Adam.
Due to scheduling and location conflicts and just time, it was becoming impossible to get this accomplished as much I wanted to. I really wanted to work with Matthew on this project so it was a bit disappointing but we met up to discuss and there are always going to be other projects. Cheers to that.

Moving Forward, I had the task of casting the role of Adam again; it's a very particular part with a particular look, and was happy to learn that one of my favorite actors was available.

Actor Erik Wolfe is our new "Adam"
in Dead Man Working.

I first saw Erik Wolfe in a short, One in a Series, Ryan (our DP) shot and I edited. I think it stuck to the script a lot but it was a good performance.

Wolfe then worked with Ryan on A New and Accurate Map of the World, by far one of my favorite projects to work on.

After editing this project I wanted to work with Erik on one of my own projects. I'm not sure what happened exactly when Dead Man Working came around but everything happens for a reason. So I want to take this time to welome Erik Wolfe on the project!

Other than some location shifts due to waiting to long for anything to get done and running into some technical issues we are back in action. All in good timing too, I'm getting antsy and I'm incredibly anxious in seeing this film in it's final cut.

I've shown a majority of what's been shot to our producers and have gotten great feedback. The feedback in general over the film has been great so I'm meeting with our graphic designer to get the post production stages off the ground and going as well as talking to a composer for scoring.

There are many more updates but I will contain myself and share them at the appropriate time, till then check back for more updates!

My "Dead Man Working" birthday cake
by Tony Tone-Tone Albanese

p.s. my birthday was this past weekend and my good friend Tony Albanese whom you may remember as "Tone Tone" from Season 1 of TLC's Cake Boss made me a surprise birthday cake. It was so cool! and tasted great! I'm sure he'll be making our cake for the wrap party.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

I've been absent from blogging due to the heavy amount of final preproduction that had to go into getting the film portion of the project up and going. I'm happy to say that Dead Man Working began principle photography on May 14th 2011.

L.E. Salas directing a mocumentary-style interview.

We have shot a about half of the movie at this point and the footage looks amazing! I'm not just saying that cause I have to.

We had a slight hiccup on the first day of production but it was expected. I haven't been on a production set for one of my own projects in a long time so it took a little getting used to again.

Also this is the first time that I would be collaborating with so many other members on a film crew.

Deirdre Brennan

Dierdre Brennan, who plays Cait, one of the lead roles in the film. Cait is a wealthy funeral home owner whose business is in danger when the dead are not staying dead long enough to have funeral services. Cait hires a documentary filmmaker to investigate this recent wave of the living dead.

Evangelline Reilly, Christian Nowicki, Julie Ufema

Actress Evengelline Reilly plays the role of Kelly, a well-to-do mother who rehires her irreplaceable nanny when she reanimates.

Cristian Temi plays a neurotic fashion designer.

Fashion Stylist Cristian Temi who is the wardrobe department on the set Dead Man Working makes his acting debut playing....a fashion designer whose new line is inspired by the living dead.

Fashion Zombies prepped to walk the fashion runway.

Jon Kutlu playing Cristian's right hand man...and our set make-up artist Jade Elhaddad making a cameo.

Robert Rivera plays himself auditioning for the lead role in a new hit film by an acclaimed director.

We have an incredible cast, great locations all over New Jersey and I could not have done any of it without my talented crew.

Amber Crawford, Ryan Alexander
and Peter Parkerian

From left to right, Actress Amber Crawford, playing a casting director, our Director of Photography, Ryan Alexander, setting up the next shot and Peter Parkerian plays a self-absorbed hit film director.

FX Make-up Artist Jillian Hansen prepping the next zombie.

Everyone has been working hard to make sure the film is well-done and most importantly, entertaining!

I would like to now invite friends, family, zombie fans, strangers anyone and everyone who would like to be a part of the movie by helping us out during this time of fundraising. I have started a page on Indie Go Go, a site for raising money for independent projects.

Through out the course of preproduction and raising the project, I have remained pretty silent about the details of the project. When you visit our fund-raising page on Indie Go Go, you will get a full proposal for Dead Man Working that, for the first time reveals the concept of Dead Man Working. This is NOT just another zombie film.

Our goal is to raise $4500.00 to complete the film. When donating to the completion of the film, you have the option of donating $20.00, $100.00 and $1000.00, or you can click on "other amount." All of the donations come with certain perks so check it out.

For those of you high rollers who donate $1000.00 (I'd love for there to be one!) I will through in a free lap dance, what the hell...

Thanks much for any and all support you have shown this project and my crew and me. I am grateful for the opportunity to be making another film. Please check back for more updates as the project is in its final days!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Before I met Deirdre, I thought I had the part of Cait cast. I had two people read for the role and I like what they brought.

Deirdre came in and engulfed the room with her charm. I immediately felt drawn to her before she read. I had seen her pictures and thought she has the look for the part.

Then she read two scenes...and now she's my Cait.

The role of Cait, is molded around a real person and friend of mine who used to work in the record industry (she's made it abundantly clear to me how much she is not a fan of Madonna's circa 1984 to now). Cait always has this sass and know it all attitude but you can't help but love someone like that; tough and upfront but still easy to talk to and comforting.

Once real-life Cait became my muse for the of Cait in Dead Man Working, it was merely a matter of taking the character to an exaggerated level while throwing in some ugly that I think we can all show at any given moment. What was born was a cut-throat, in it to win it in any way destructive character.

Now, I am saying Deirdre is this Cait, but she's an actress and I believe the actress that can certainly bring her to life.

Deirdre has the screen legend look of historic Hollywood and while she does, she's not the victim "damsel in distress" that needs to be rescued...she could be but I could see her being the hero instead.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

This is Julie Ufema. She sent in her headshot, resume and clip from a movie she was recently in where she's tied up and tortured...can it get better? Yes. She said it was a goal of hers to play a zombie in a movie.

So after I looked through her images trying to think of what zombie she could play I found one role that seemed the perfect fit. She may not have any lines but it's a memorable character.

It get's even better. After contacting her recently I found out she is currently producing and directing her own movie, Caveat, a psychological thriller. The movie also features one of the main actors from the original Dawn of the Dead! How cool is that?!?

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

This is Matthew Lavin. He auditioned for the role of Adam for DMW back in January. When I was writing the screenplay, I had jokingly written it so I can play the lead as the story resembles making this whole project happen. That idea changed after the first draft. Realizing that my first project after about 5 years was going to need more focus to show the amount of growth that has occurred, I quickly decided to have an actor step in the role so I can concentrate on direction.

I had envisioned the role of Adam Alexander to be a cross between me the director of photography, my good friend Ryan. Since I've known him he's had this quirky side that I can't even begin to explain. He's a great writer and has certain idiosyncrasies that would have you look at him with a straight face or try to, and then have you running somewhere private to laugh. But you know what to each is own.

So there's that, and then my anxious, nervous, spontaneous, stubborn and "Well if you want it, you can get it" self. hmmmm.

In walked, Matthew, but to be honest once I saw his headshot I knew I wanted him for the role. Then, once I saw his reel, I was absolutely positive he was Adam. Everyone that came in for the role had their own character that they could have added but this was a specific character. I thought I would have a harder time, but I got lucky :)

Britain's Daily Mail quoted Susan Jones, from the Willow Burn Hospice, in nearby Lanchester as saying: "There must be somewhere else they could put it that would have shown a degree of insight and sensitivity."

The company responsible for placing the ad, Clearchannel Advertising, said in a statement: "We apologize for any offense caused by the unfortunate juxtaposition of this ad. It was certainly not intended. We have arranged to have it moved right away."

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

I'm excited to say that Roger Ma, the author of "The Zombie Combat Manual: A Guide to Fighting the Living Dead," has agreed to join us for an interview for DMW!

The other day while surfing the internet, I came upon an interview the gothamist website had conducted with Roger Ma and was automatically intrigued.

A zombie book yes, but like many of the authors interviewed for DMW, Ma puts his spin on the subject matter involving an arsenal (pun intended?) of weaponry that would be useful for those of us who would have to come up against a horde of zombies without guns.

"The Zombie Combat Manual," serves as guide that is meant to show anyone how to become an effective fighter against the forces of the undead!

Let's face it, if a zombie apocalypse were to happen, I'd rather be apart of the, oh I'd say 30% that would make it out alive.

Ma also is the founder of The Zombie Combat Club. "The Zombie Combat Club has a single objective - to educate the public on effective blade, bludgeon, and unarmed combat techniques to eradicate the threat of the living dead. We are not a school, dojo, or military unit. We are an open civilian group dedicated to providing accurate combat theory and education to fight the walking dead without a firearm, and survive." (taken from the website)

Check out the video below that can be found on youtube or on the website to get an idea of how Ma puts his spin and makes the zombie genre his own-

Sunday, March 27, 2011

It is hard to get people to visualize what you see in your head; or at least hard when the people you are working with are new to movie making. I'm fortunate to have my partners Larry and Luis helping me along with funding this low budget (I prefer "budget conscious") indie and happy that the closer we get to the shooting the more intricate portion of the project, the more excited they get and the more ideas they shoot out, I love it! Then I drive home and I'm left to my thoughts and my books.

I finally picked up a copy of Jovanka Vuckovic's "Zombies: an illustrated history of the undead" in Maryland before I drove up. I will start reading it tomorrow.

Vuckovic's "Zombies!: An Illustrated History of the Undead"

From the little I read I can tell it's going to be a good read. It's funny I thumbed through it quickly and I came to the chapters and one is entitled "dead man working," i was like that's cool. There was a short film with the same title made in 2008; I didn't lift DMW from there either, lol. If fact the play on words or the off-shoot of the phrase "dead man walking" is not new, I see it everyday on my commute to work. I participated in it for three years. The idea of "DMW 2011" is something I would think would have been done before, but to my delight it hasn't.

Im working on what I thought would be three more key interviews, one is almost already known, I don't even have to mention it, but aside from "the man," I've found a couple more people that after reading their work would make for interesting contributions for the documentary portion of the project. It's amazing, some of the key people on the production are not fans of either zombies films or horror films. Horror films aside, if they only watched some zombie films or at least the significant ones they would see how the horror doesn't have to be the zombies and the make-up and the fact that they eat the living, the horror is in the message; sometimes subtle, sometimes right in your face.

Wouldn't you be afraid if she was behind you?

One of my goals when making this film was to get over my fear of the living dead, I think I may just do it. That does not I won't stop looking over my shoulder.

Friday, March 25, 2011

This is a Book Trailer for Steven C. Schlozman's The Zombie Autopsies. Great information on the subject of the book. The video was made by filmmaker Hugo Perez.

Oh! Hi New Jersey-

I just did my final location scouts for the narrative portion of Dead Man Working (part documentary, part film) and as my original idea, it will be a New Jersey production.
You know, I love New York, I honestly do, but I can't get the small town look that I want for a lot of the scenes. Besides, after running some numbers, one location in NYC would be like 1/3 of the budget. Remember this is the little indie that could (and will).

After speaking with my long-time friend David Schoner over at the NJ Film Commission, who rounded up a couple of locations, I made the calls and am securing the locations for an April shoot.

Next up, I am doing one more re-write, heading to another meeting with the producers down in Maryland tonight, solidifying the cast, crew and all that other fun stuff. I will be posting the cast and crew and a brief bio as they are added to the project, so make sure to check in. Oh and I'll be working on the website; it's needs a serious facelift.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Just a quick note, I finally got a minute to start reading a book by Scott Kenemore's newest book, Zombie Ohio. We interviewed Scott for DMW back in January and I think I received the book around a week after that, but was in the middle of a couple of other ones as well. I only get a solid ten minutes during my commute to read on, but so far so good, and very visual and interesting!

Monday, March 14, 2011

We just got back from our second trip to Boston for DMW. After corresponding via email over the past couple of months, Steven Schlozman invited us up to Boston and granted us an interview. We were originally slated to meet last month but I'm happy that it was pushed back. This allowed time to read his just released book, The Zombie Autopsies: Secret Notes from the Apocalypse.

I originally remember hearing it would be on store shelves March 25th of 2011, but when I did a quick check online I saw that it was in stores! Looks like some stores jumped the gun. Now, I had no excuse for not reading the book, so I rushed out and picked it up this past Saturday afternoon and stayed in to absorb as much of it as possible as we were leaving to Boston Sunday afternoon. I was determined to read Schlozman's work:

A. Because if you're going to ask an author or filmmaker or artist
for an interview, you should be familiar with their work.

B. Um, it's the right thing to do?!? (lol)

The research aspect of it is already second nature at this point and it definitely helps if the book is well written; The Zombie Autopsies was an great read. I opened the book at around 7:30 in the evening and finished a good chunk of it at around 1:00 in the morning right before springing the time ahead. So many authors and artists are creatively reconstructing the ancestral zombie and Schlozman is no different, recruiting his profession for his fictional writing and also for his love of the zombie genre.

After reading the book, I pretty much summed it up as "an observation constructively critical of evil as brilliance that can only be man-made." I don't think that I did it justice, even still, don't just take my word for it, get a copy and read it! I mean Romero was scared...Romero! I love it!

Needless to say upon meeting the author today I couldn't help think about the crab cakes I had eaten for lunch right before (when you read the book you'll get it). I also couldn't help but gush about the book, not only for the "zombie factor," but also for the questions that arose from my reading, Schlozman's ill-fated protagonist, Dr. Stanley Blum (spoiler?) and most importantly the all too realistic and familiar feeling of...doom.

We sat and spoke before the interview while Ryan, the director of photography set up, and discussed our appreciation for cult films in general, George Romero, Max Brooks, Scott Kenemore, his fans, etc...Since the book's ink is still fresh I figured Schlozman may be tied up with doing press, I can honestly say I had the pleasure of sitting with him while he's in the eye of the storm. It was a great interview and look forward to sharing it as soon as the project is all done. Who knows maybe we'll release some teaser footage in the near future. Thanks again to Steven Schlozman. Oh and to Mrs. Schlozman for the welcoming vibe of the office!

I'm in a hotel in Boston. And yet again I can't sleep. I'm not nervous. I'm never nervous before interviews, more anxious than anything. So here I am watching "The Predator" on AMC.

I will say this time around in Boston, a good two months later I'm very happy with the progress of the project. We have a couple of interviews left but production is a month away on shooting the narrative portion of the project which super excites me. I can only imagine what people think when I try to explain the entire premise of the film. Everything will be illuminated once all is said and done.

Friday, March 11, 2011

We are on the road again this weekend to grab an interview for DMW with Dr. Steven C. Schlozman an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard University and a zombie film and culture enthusiast. His new book, The Zombie Autopsies: Secret Notes from the Apocalypse is now in stores. Check out the teaser video for the book:

Monday, March 7, 2011

You know, somewhere down the line I heard that George A. Romero's "Diary of the Dead was technically not considered a part of his "Dead Series," and I excluded watching it again for this project. I think my mistake was reading it was "not a direct sequel," in one of the descriptions, but all of them are really not a direct sequel.

All of Romero's movies in this series have a significant amount of social commentary. I remember watching "Diary" in 2007. By then, Google was a good 4 or 5 years old, Facebook had been around for three years, Youtube was two years old and Twitter, please, Twitter was a year old.

One thing was for sure, the internet was already an alternative source for news. "Diary" opens with a news reporter arriving a the scene of a homicide then learning that the bodies of the dead behind her are getting back up. We watch a gruesome attack unfold in front of the camera.

Diary of the Dead

The news reporter is attacked off camera but later falls into frame.
The cameraman runs to her aide. The footage then cuts out.Several newscasts are heard and a voice over describes the mainstream media's neglect of truth. The voiceover then goes on to describe that the footage from the beginning of the news reporter being attacked was uploaded to the internet by the cameraman so that people around the world can see what is really happening.

We can all agree that a zombie attack or epidemic to the proportions of Romero's "Diary," or any of his other films have not happened...yet, but one thing is for sure, his commentary is dead on (no pun). The media has always had a way with distorting reality and reporting on what they deem as newsworthy, but with the advent of the internet and it's freedom from regulation, until they get their greasy paws on it or figured out how to regulate it, we are all reporters and journalists. The only problem it presents so far is because anyone can put anything up on the internet you have to sift through the garbage.

One thing is absolutely certain, George A. Romero is a genius. He can make a splatter film. He can make Zombie films. But he can also make social commentary and forecast. look at Youtube, Facebook and Google today.

Neda lies dying from a sniper's gunshot during Iranian
protests in 2009. It was all caught on camera.

Who would have thought that protests in Iran in 2009 would have sparked so much worldwide attention. Sure, the mainstream media is not all bad but putting thousands upon thousands of cameras into the hands of the people instantly gave a face to Neda Agha-Soltan whose death was caught on camera and gave a face to the struggle and injustice in Iran.

Who would have thought that something like Twitter among other social networks, whom many including me perceived as useless would help Egypt uprise and bring down an tired and oppressive government?

Thursday, March 3, 2011

I first heard about Jovanka while researching to find women who love the dead...lol. To put in a less scary way for some of you, female fans of the zombie genre. I think I have a solid core for the documentary with the gentlemen I have interviewed but uh, let's face it, men do not make up the only fan base of enthusiasts of zombie culture. I did an extensive search, even after I was told Arriana Huffington is a zombie fan. (I'm would still love to interview her as well, a sound bite wouldn't hurt right?)

Arianna on the phone with me, I'm asking her

to give me a soundbite and all she kept asking

me was if she should merged with AOL, duh!

Jovanka Vuckovic

I was however, able to come across a lot of information on Jovanka Vuckovic. So in a nutshell, she is an author, filmmaker and a horror expert. She resides in Toronto and is currently working on a short film, "The Captured Bird."

The Captured Bird is a darkly poetic fable that begins with a little girl drawing figures of people with chalk on the cement of a playground. She takes notice of an unusual crack in the pavement that is seeping a mysterious black fluid, which she follows to an ominous building. Inside, she encounters several bizarre phenomena, including walls that bleed black and tentacles that emerge from the ceiling to touch her. She then witnesses the birth of five terrifying supernatural beings that threaten the existence of her world.

A teaser still from "The Captured Bird"

She also just released the book, "Zombies: An illustrated history of the undead." It's right down my alley as it goes right form the origins of zombies in Haitian Voodoo, zombie lore, to zombies in popular culture.

So here goes, I begin my courting process :-) All kidding aside I would love to her speak with us about her interest in the zombie genre, her new book and give us details on her short film. For more info about the Captured Bird she has a very informative website (better than ours definitely...Thanks to our Graphic Designer, oh wait we don't officially have one yet). Take a look: http://www.thecapturedbird.com

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

An Interview with Director Bruce Labruce shot on location of L.A. Zombie will appear in Dead Man Working. The conception of this documentary is thanks in part to my experience working on that film set. I mean it is what prompted me to ask...why? Otto is considered the first "gay zombie film," L.A. Zombie blew it out of the water, taking the title of "first gay zombie porn."

I remember being at Yoga practice and receiving a frantic text message from one of the producers about the film's entry into the Melbourne International Film Festival in Australia on the 7th and 8th of August 2010. Turns out they outright classified L.A. Zombie as blatant pornography masked as art! Festival director, Richard Wolstencroft held a screening in protest, only to have his house raided by the police on the morning of November 11, 2010. Wolstencroft admitted to police that an August 29 screening had occurred but claimed to have destroyed the only copy of the film afterwards.

Francois Sagat; Star of L.A. Zombie

Crazy Shit huh?! All in all, this is an important example that Dead Man Working relies on

Dir. Bruce Labruce

Bruce LaBruce is a Toronto based filmmaker, writer, director, photographer, and artist. He began his career in the mid eighties making a series of short experimental super 8 films and co-editing a punk fanzine called J.D.s, which begat the queercore movement. He has directed and starred in three feature length movies, "No Skin Off My Ass" (1991), "Super 8 1/2" (1994), and "Hustler White" (1996). More recently he has directed two art/porn features, “Skin Flick” (2000)(hardcore version: “Skin Gang”) and “The Raspberry Reich” (2004)(hardcore version: “The Revolution Is My Boyfriend”), and the independent feature “Otto; or, Up with Dead People” (2008).

“Otto; or, Up with Dead People” also debuted at Sundance and Berlin and played at over 150 film festivals, culminating in a screening at MoMA in New York City in November of 2008.